Network Rail has announced that Edinburgh Waverley's newly-extended platforms 5 and 6 have now entered service.
The platforms have been extended to 275m to accommodate new 10-car trains due to be introduced on the main line between Edinburgh and London later this year.
The project has seen around 16,000 tons of material removed to create the platforms, with 7,000 tons of ballast and new track laid as well as new signalling and overhead powerlines installed.
The infrastructure will help to transform travel on the East Coast main line and has been funded by the Department for Transport's Intercity Express Programme (IEP) and the Scottish Government's Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP).
What did the officials say?
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson said:
“The completion of this important work at Waverley station will enable further platform capacity for Edinburgh to Glasgow services and deliver faster, longer, greener trains between Edinburgh and London.
“This is a prime example of Scottish Government investment helping to improve our rail network and shows the benefits that can be realised through cross-border working with partners in the UK rail industry.”
UK Rail Minister Andrew Jones said:
“These works alongside the Intercity Express Programme with its state-of-the-art high-speed intercity trains, will start to transform journeys for passengers bringing more space, comfort and reliability up and down the country.
“Having worked closely with Transport Scotland to deliver this upgrade, the longer platforms will deliver the benefits for the new Azuma trains – due on the East Coast later this year.”
Kevin McClelland, route delivery director for infrastructure projects, said:
“Successfully delivering this work has been a logistical challenge for our engineers and contractors who have constructed the new infrastructure in Scotland's second-busiest station with a minimum of disruption to the tens of thousands of customers who use Waverley every day.
“The new platforms, and the modern trains they have been designed to accommodate, will greatly improve the service we can offer to passengers travelling on this key route between the two capitals.”
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**Spell Correct** Hold your horses Andrew, they’re not in service yet. Wishful thinking perhaps. After speaking with David Horne myself yesterday, there is no start date as of yet. I along with everyone in Hull will be the first to know, as the first Azuma passenger service will be the 07:00 Hull to London King’s Cross. I’m keeping in close contact with both LNER’s social media team, and David as I will be on that first service. The Azuma has however finally gained operational approval within the last few days.
Yet again they add more trains to Edinburgh to Glasgow and to London
Why cant they help sort the problems with the Fife Circle or reopen the line to Stirling/Glasgow from Fife. There is only 1 train that goes from Kirkcaldy to Glasgow per day and if thats cancelled your day is ruined
LNER have now just started using the Class 800 and Class 801 Azuma trains in service that will also be using the new platforms at Edinburgh Waverley. Once the upgrades on the East Coast Main Line has been completed which will allow the Azuma trains to extend their service to Edinburgh and further afield in Scotland.
They are not in service yet
Hold your horses Andrew, they’re not in service yet. Wishful thinking perhaps. After speaking with David Horn myself yesterday, there is no start date as of yet. I along with everyone in Hull will be the first to know, as the first Azuma passenger service will be the 07:00 Hull to London King’s Cross. I’m keeping in close contact with both LNER’s social media team, and David as I will be on that first service. The Azuma has however finally gained operational approval within the last few days.